U.S. patent application number 13/990856 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for water and dirt separator.
This patent application is currently assigned to ADEY HOLDINGS (2008) LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Matthew Taylor. Invention is credited to Matthew Taylor.
Application Number | 20140069855 13/990856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43500922 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140069855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Matthew |
March 13, 2014 |
WATER AND DIRT SEPARATOR
Abstract
A separator (10) comprises a housing (12) and a separator
chamber (24) contained within the housing, an inlet (26) and outlet
(28) to the separator chamber and a dividing member (34) for
substantially dividing the separator chamber into a first chamber
(30) and a second chamber (32). A flow path (38) is provided
between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to
circulate between the first and second chambers, and guide means
(56) for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber (32)
for slowing flow through the second chamber (32).
Inventors: |
Taylor; Matthew;
(Gloucestershire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Taylor; Matthew |
Gloucestershire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
ADEY HOLDINGS (2008)
LIMITED
Gloucestershire
GB
|
Family ID: |
43500922 |
Appl. No.: |
13/990856 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 1, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2011/052374 |
371 Date: |
November 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/223 ;
210/435 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B03C 2201/18 20130101;
C02F 2103/02 20130101; C02F 2307/14 20130101; F24D 19/0092
20130101; B03C 1/286 20130101; B03C 1/02 20130101; B01D 21/0036
20130101; C02F 2301/024 20130101; B03C 1/284 20130101; C02F 1/488
20130101; B01D 21/2483 20130101; B03C 1/30 20130101; C02F 2201/48
20130101; C02F 2209/40 20130101; C02F 2303/22 20130101; B01D
2221/02 20130101; B01D 21/0009 20130101; B03C 2201/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/223 ;
210/435 |
International
Class: |
B03C 1/30 20060101
B03C001/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2010 |
GB |
1020350.3 |
Claims
1. A separator comprising a housing, and a separator chamber
contained within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator
chamber, a dividing member for substantially dividing the separator
chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, a flow path
provided between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to
circulate between the first and second chambers, and a flow guide
means for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber, the
opposing flow paths meeting in an area of the second chamber where
the flow in each path is substantially towards opposing flow in the
other path, for slowing flow through the second chamber.
2. A separator as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing includes
an upper portion and a lower portion.
3. A separator as claimed in claim 2, in which the upper portion is
detachable from the lower portion.
4. A separator as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the upper
portion is screw threaded to the lower portion.
5. A separator as claimed in any preceding claim 1, in which a
magnet is provided in the first chamber.
6. A separator as claimed in claim 5, in which a tubular sleeve is
provided around the magnet.
7. A separator as claimed in claim 6, in which the tubular sleeve
is mounted to the dividing member and extends longitudinally along
a central axis of the first chamber.
8. A separator as claimed in claim 7, in which the dividing member
and tubular sleeve are removable for cleaning.
9. A separator as claimed in claim 1, in which co-operating
locating formations are provided on the dividing member and housing
respectively, for positioning the dividing member within the
housing.
10. A separator as claimed in claim 1, in which an aperture is
provided through the dividing member and a flow guide is positioned
adjacent the aperture for directing flow through the aperture from
the first chamber to the second chamber.
11. A separator as claimed in claim 10, in which the aperture is a
substantially radial slot.
12. A separator as claimed in claim 10, in which a guide wall is
provided in the second chamber for directing flow entering the
lower portion through the aperture in the dividing member.
13. A separator as claimed in claim 12, in which a space is
provided between the upper end of the guide wall and the underside
of the dividing member, in use, flow passing in one direction over
the top of the wall and being directed in the opposite direction by
the wall.
14. A separator as claimed in claim 10, in which at least a second
aperture is provided through the dividing member, the second
aperture being around 120 degrees angularly displaced from the
first aperture, behind the flow guide.
15. A separator as claimed in claim 14, in which the second
aperture is smaller than the first aperture.
16. A separator as claimed in claim 1, in which arrestor elements
are provided in the second chamber for slowing flow.
17. A separator as claimed in claim 16, in which the arrestor
elements include a plurality of pins.
18. A separator as claimed in claim 17, in which at least one of
the pins extends through an aperture in the dividing member into
the first chamber.
19. A separator as claimed in claim 17, in which the pins extend
parallel with a central longitudinal axis of the separator.
20. A separator as claimed in claim 16, in which the arrestor
elements include one or more walls.
21. A separator as claimed in claim 20, in which the or each wall
extends from one of the pins.
22. A separator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a bleed
valve is provided for releasing pressure from the separator.
23. A separator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a
dosing point is provided for adding liquid to the separator.
24. A separator as claimed in claim 1, in which a bleed valve for
releasing pressure from the separator and a dosing point for adding
liquid to the separator are provided in a single fitting.
25. A separator substantially as described herein with reference to
and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
26. A separator comprising a housing, a separator chamber contained
within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator chamber, a
dividing member substantially dividing the separator chamber into a
first chamber and a second chamber, a flow path provided between
the first and second chambers for allowing flow to circulate
between the first and second chambers, and a flow guide for
creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber, the flow guide
including a reversing portion adapted to change the direction of a
portion of the flow impinging on the slow guide and a bypass
portion allowing passage past the flow guide of a further portion
of the flow, without change of direction of the further portion.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a separator suitable for
separating particles from a fluid flow and particularly but not
exclusively to a separator for separating particles from central
heating system water.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] It is already known to use a magnetic separator to separate
magnetic particles from central heating system water, as described
in granted British Patent GB2402894. It is a well understood
problem that, over time, oxygen contained within the system water
of domestic and commercial heating systems causes corrosion to the
inner surfaces of pipes, radiators, boiler heat exchangers and the
like. The corrosion results in the system water carrying ferrous
particles, sometimes referred to as magnetite. Other non-magnetic
particles are also carried in the system water. The magnetic and
non-magnetic particles, if left in the system water, tend to build
up as sludge over time and reduce the efficiency of the system.
They may build up in the boiler thus reducing heat transfer, in the
lower corners of radiators causing cold spots, or in pipe work
causing reduced flowrate of system water and increasing the demand
on the system pump.
[0003] It is known to add inhibitors to try and prevent corrosion,
but often the inhibitors only slow or delay the onset of corrosion
problems rather than removing them. Whilst a magnetic separator is
effective in removing magnetite, it is only partially successful in
removing non-magnetic particles. An advantage of, for example, the
magnetic separator of GB 2402894 is that the flow of system water
through the separator is hardly restricted at all and the losses in
the separator are minimal. Swirl is set up in the separator around
a sleeved magnet and magnetite in the system water is attracted out
of the flow by magnetic attraction.
[0004] However, in order to effectively remove non-magnetic
particles held in suspension, it is necessary to significantly slow
the flow rate of the system water. However, it is undesirable to
slow the flow rate, because this has a detrimental effect on the
heating efficiency of the system. Furthermore, it is not desirable
to pass the system water through a filter, such as a mesh or gauze,
because this significantly impedes the flow, reduces efficiency,
can clog easily and requires relatively frequent cleaning.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a separator
suitable for separating particles from water circulating in a
closed system which substantially mitigates or reduces these
problems.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a
separator comprising a housing and a separator chamber contained
within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator chamber, a
dividing member for substantially dividing the separator chamber
into a first chamber and a second chamber, a flow path provided
between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to
circulate between the first and second chambers, and guide means
for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber for slowing
flow through the second chamber.
[0007] Advantageously, the flow in the first chamber of the
separator is substantially unrestricted, but a portion of the flow
passes into the second chamber, where it is slowed by directing the
flow against itself by the guide means. The slowing of the flow is
sufficient to allow particles held in suspension in the system
water to drop out of suspension and to collect in the bottom of the
separator.
[0008] The housing may include an upper portion and a lower
portion, the upper portion being detachable from the lower portion
by means of a screw thread. The ability to remove the lower portion
of the housing enables the collected sediment to be occasionally
cleared.
[0009] A magnet may be provided in the first chamber for attracting
magnetite out of the system water flow through the first chamber. A
thin plastics tubular sleeve may be provided around the magnet, on
which the magnetite may collect.
[0010] The tubular sleeve may be mounted to the dividing member and
may extend longitudinally along a central axis of the separator,
the dividing member and tubular sleeve being removable for
cleaning, when the upper and lower portions of the housing are
separated.
[0011] Co-operating locating means may be provided on the dividing
member and housing respectively, for positioning the dividing
member within the housing. In other words the angular position of
the dividing member is fixed. This ensures most effective direction
or guiding of flow between the first and second chambers.
[0012] An aperture may be provided through the dividing member and
a guide means may be positioned adjacent the aperture for directing
flow through the aperture from the first chamber to the second
chamber. Ideally the aperture is a substantially radially extending
slot. This enables flow across substantially the entire radius of
the dividing member, and internal radius of the first chamber, to
be directed into the second chamber in the lower part of the
housing.
[0013] A guide wall may be provided in the lower portion for
directing flow entering the lower portion through the aperture in
the dividing member.
[0014] A space may be provided between the upper end of the guide
wall and the underside of the dividing member. In use, flow may
pass in one direction over the top of the wall and may be directed
in the opposite direction by the wall. In other words, opposing
flow paths are created in the second chamber.
[0015] At least a second aperture may be provided through the
dividing member, the second aperture being approximately 120
degrees angularly displaced from the first aperture, behind the
guide means, in the clockwise direction, when viewed from above.
The inlet may be substantially tangential to the first chamber and
flow in the first chamber is set up with a swirl in the clockwise
direction.
[0016] The second aperture may be smaller than the first aperture
and may serve in the manner of a venturi to draw flow back from the
second chamber into the first chamber, once particles have dropped
out of suspension.
[0017] Arrestor elements may be provided in the second chamber for
further slowing flow. The arrestor elements may include a plurality
of pins. At least one of the pins may extend through an aperture in
the dividing member into the first chamber and the pins may extend
parallel with a central longitudinal axis of the separator.
[0018] The arrestor elements may also include one or more walls or
partitions. The or each wall or partition may extend from one of
the pins. In some cases, the walls may connect the pins.
[0019] A bleed valve may be provided for bleeding air from the
separator, although if installed correctly, the separator should be
self bleeding, since the outlet is positioned at the upper most
point of the first, upper, chamber.
[0020] A dosing point may be provided for adding liquid to the
separator, for example, rust inhibitor. The bleed valve and dosing
point may be provided in a single fitting. The fitting may also be
used to relieve pressure from within the separator, when it is
isolated, to enable the first and second portions of the housing to
be separated.
[0021] Elevated pressure within the housing has the effect of
locking the thread, preventing separation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will
now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a separator according to
the present invention in an upright position for installation;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the separator of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3A shows a plan view from above of the dividing member
and lower housing;
[0026] FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view through FIG. 3A along
line A-A;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a perspective underside view of the separator
of FIG. 1; and
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a plan view from above of the inside of the
lower portion of the housing of the separator of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a separator is indicated
generally at 10. The separator 10 includes a housing 12 having an
upper and a lower portion 14, 16. Each housing portion 14, 16 is
substantially dome shaped and the lower portion is provided with an
external screw thread 18, which engages with an internal screw
thread provided in the lower part of the upper portion 14. A
circumferential flange 20 is provided around the lower portion 16
and is scalloped to facilitate grip when tightening and
un-tightening of the two portions 14, 16 when the screw threads are
engaged. A circular seal 22, for example an O-ring, is pinched
between facing surfaces of the upper and lower portions 14, 16 as
the portions are tightened together.
[0030] The upper and lower portions 14, 16 together define an
internal chamber, indicated generally at 24, where particles held
in suspension in a liquid passing through the separator 10, are
separated. An inlet 26 is provided in the wall of the upper portion
14 of the housing 12, which is substantially tangential to the side
of the housing and is part-way down the housing in the dome shape.
An outlet 28 is provided substantially extending from the top of
the upper portion 14, but is also set marginally to one side of the
dome shaped upper portion 14, such that liquid leaving the outlet
28 follows a substantially tangential path. The tangential
arrangements of the inlet 26 and outlet 28 serve to set up a
swirling flow within the internal chamber 24. Furthermore, the
positioning of the outlet 28 at the top of the separator 10 means
that the separator is self bleeding.
[0031] The internal chamber 24 is substantially divided into an
upper chamber 30, indicated generally on FIGS. 2 and 3B a lower
chamber 32. A dividing member 34 substantially in the form of a
circular flat plate divides the internal chamber 24 and is mounted
on a tubular sleeve member 36 which extends internally of the
separator 10 from top to bottom. In practice, the dividing member
34 may be provided in one or two parts which may be connected
together around the tubular sleeve 36. Various apertures are
provided through the dividing member 34 as will be described in
detail below, and flow is able to circulate between the upper and
lower chambers 30, 32. A magnet or stack of magnets is provided in
a hermetically sealed cylindrical magnet pack 37 and is arranged to
extend through the tubular sleeve member 36. Magnetic particles are
attracted out of the flow in the upper part of the separator and
collect on the tubular sleeve member 36, which can easily be wiped
clean when the magnet pack 37 is removed.
[0032] Referring in particular to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a radial slot 38
is provided through the dividing member 34 and an angled guiding
surface 40 is provided adjacent the radial slot 38 for guiding flow
impacting the guiding surface 40 through the radial slot 38 from
the upper chamber 30 to the lower chamber 32. A further aperture is
located through the dividing member 34 approximately 110 degrees
beyond the radial slot 38 in the clockwise direction, when viewed
as in FIG. 2, and a shroud 42 is provided over the aperture with a
closed end of the shroud facing in the direction of the radial slot
38, i.e. in an anticlockwise direction. A plurality of other
circular apertures 44 are provided through the dividing member 34,
thirteen of which are shown in FIG. 2. A notch or cutaway 46 is
provided in the periphery of the dividing member 34 for engagement
with an inwardly facing protrusion 48 disposed on the internal wall
of the lower portion 16. In use, the notch 46 locates on the
protrusion 48 and determines the in-use position of the dividing
member 34.
[0033] Referring also to FIG. 5, a plurality of arrestor elements
in the form of pins or posts 50 are mounted to the base of the
lower chamber 32 and extend upwardly, substantially parallel to a
vertical central axis of the separator 10. Each pin 50 is provided
with a plurality of axially extending side members or fins 52,
which when viewed from above, form a crucifix. Some of the pins 50
are connected by walls 54, and some of the walls extend towards and
up to the tubular sleeve member 36. The walls 54 provide further
obstruction mean to flow in the second or lower chamber 32.
[0034] A radially extending guide wall 56 is positioned in he lower
chamber 32, substantially directly underneath the radial slot 38.
The guide wall 56 is shaped on its surface to provide two parallel
channels 58. The top of the wall 56 does not contact the underside
of dividing member 34, but rather there is a gap for allowing the
passage of flow, as described further below.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, a fitting 60 is provided centrally
at the bottom of the lower housing 16. The fitting 60 is similar to
that described in the applicant's granted patent GB 2402894, which
is incorporated herein by reference. The fitting 60 serves both as
a bleed point and a dosing point.
[0036] The fitting 60 has an axial bore extending there-through
which is sealed at its outer end by a screw-in plug 62. A valve
seating is provided part way along the axial bore which seats a
substantially spherical valve member. The valve member is biased
into contact with the valve seating by means of a spring.
[0037] When it is desired to dose the separator with, for example,
an inhibitor, then the screw-in plug 62 can be removed and the
spherical valve member is biased into contact with the valve
seating thereby sealing the axial bore and preventing fluid from
leaving the separator 10. A fluid dosing dispenser can then be
attached to the threaded axial bore and pressurized, thereby
forcing fluid through the axial bore into the separator 10 by
lifting the spherical valve member off the valve seating. Once
sufficient fluid has been pumped into the separator 10, then the
spherical valve member returns to its rest position against the
valve seating and seals the axial bore.
[0038] The fitting 60 is generally not used as a bleed valve in
this application, because the valve is positioned at the bottom of
the separator 10 and the separator is self bleeding. However, the
bleed valve aspect can be used to release fluid pressure from
within the separator for unscrewing the two parts of the housing
14,16. To release the pressure, the screw-in plug 62 can be screwed
into the fitting 60 such that a projection on the end of the plug
contacts the spherical valve member and lifts it from the valve
seating against the bias of the spring. The internal pressure
forces any air or liquid contained in the base of the separator to
flow freely through the axial bore and past the plug 62 to
atmosphere.
[0039] The operation of the separator 10 will now be described. The
separator is suitable for use with all central heating systems and
can be fitted anywhere in the main circuit. However in order to
achieve the best protection for the boiler it is recommended that
the separator be fitted after the last radiator in the circuit
before the boiler. The return flow pipe to the boiler should be
connected to the inlet 26 and the outlet 28 is then connected back
to the return pipe for connection to the boiler. The inlet and
outlet 26, 28 are unrestricted, and therefore there should be
minimal restriction to the flow by installation of the separator.
The inlet 26 is provided substantially tangentially to the wall of
the upper chamber 30 directly above the dividing member 34. The
outlet 28 is also tangentially disposed at the top of the first
chamber 30.
[0040] Once installed, the housing portions 14,16 are screwed
together with the seal 22 between them. The hermetically sealed
magnet pack 37 is disposed within the sleeve 36. Conveniently it
can be moved in and out of the tubular sleeve by sliding. Any air
in the separator 10 passes through the outlet 28, which as
previously described, is at the top of the separator, when
installed.
[0041] As the system water flows through the inlet 26, swirl is set
up in the first chamber 30 around the magnet pack 37 and any
magnetite is attracted to the external wall of the sleeve 36, where
it collects. As the flow passes over the top of the dividing member
34, the flow is maginally slowed by virtue of the tips of the pins
50. A portion of the flow is directed down through the radial slot
38 by the guiding surface 40 into the second chamber 32. Some of
the flow passes over the top of the wall 56 and the rest of the
flow impinges on the wall 56 and is forced to change direction, as
indicated in FIG. 3B. The flow in the second chamber 32 is slowed
further by the pins 50, wings 52 and walls 54, to such an extent
that particles fall out of suspension and collect in the bottom of
the separator. Build up of particles tends to occur close to the
arrestor elements and walls, where the flow is slowest.
[0042] Flow is able to pass out of the second chamber 32 back into
the first chamber through the apertures 44 and also through the
aperture under the shroud 42. This aperture is relatively
restricted and acts as a venturi, speeding up flow passing through
the aperture and drawing it through.
[0043] For cleaning, the inlet and outlet 26,28 of the separator 10
can be isolated, the pressure inside the housing released by the
bleed valve fitting 60, and the lower portion 16 of the housing
removed for cleaning. The sealed magnet pack 37 can be removed from
the tubular sleeve 36 and the sleeve also cleaned.
[0044] The separator can be re-commissioned after cleaning, by
re-assembly, connection to the system. The separator is highly
effective at removing magnetic and non-magnetic contaminant
particles held in suspension, and helps maintain optimum heating
system performance.
* * * * *